Lindström celebrates 20 years in China

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Lindström has celebrated 20 years of operations in China together with customers, partners, employees and guests in Shanghai. What started with our first operation in Suzhou in 2006 has grown into Lindström’s largest subsidiary outside Finland, serving around 1,400 customers with a team of around 700 employees.

In September, customers, partners and colleagues from across China came together in Shanghai to celebrate the milestone and look ahead to the next chapter of Lindström’s business in China.

Customers travelled from cities including Hohhot, Beijing, Chengdu and Wuhan to take part in the celebration. The programme recognised long-standing customer and partner relationships as well as employees who have contributed to Lindström China over many years.

The event was also attended by Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto, Consul General of Finland in Shanghai, Joonas Heiskanen, and Ambassador of Finland to China, Mikko Kinnunen, together with representatives from Lindström’s leadership. Their participation reflected the close connections between Finland and China and the shared interest in sustainable business, innovation and long-term cooperation.

From Suzhou to a growing business across China

Lindström opened its first operation in China in Suzhou in 2006. During the following 20 years, the business has grown both organically and through acquisitions, supported by continued investment in new locations, services and local expertise. China has now become Lindström’s largest subsidiary outside Finland.

Today, our teams provide Workwear, Cleanroom and Mat Services to customers across several industries. An important part of the development has been building a network that allows us to work close to customers in different parts of a large and diverse market.

For Anupam Chakrabarty, Senior Vice President, Asia, Lindström’s development in China reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the market.

Our growth in China has come both organically and through acquisitions, and we have continued to invest because we believe strongly in the potential of the market. We combine Lindström’s international experience with strong local knowledge and solutions that work for customers in China.

Anupam Chakrabarty, Senior Vice President, Asia

Anupam also sees the local way of operating as an important strength: Lindström can draw on global expertise and processes while adapting to the needs of the Chinese market.

Developing together with our customers

The market has changed significantly during the past 20 years, and customer expectations have developed with it.

Dennis Chan, Managing Director of Lindström China, has seen increasingly demanding requirements for hygiene, quality, technical performance and process control, particularly in sectors such as food production, electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. For Lindström, this means continuously developing our capabilities and services to meet changing customer needs.

Many customers have worked with Lindström China for more than ten years. Dennis sees these long-term relationships as an important sign that reliable textile services can support customers in their everyday operations and as their businesses develop.

Our customers’ requirements keep developing, and we need to develop with them. I am proud that many customers have worked with us for a long time. Our focus is to provide a reliable service that supports their daily business and continues to meet their changing needs.

Dennis Chan, Managing Director of Lindström China

The anniversary celebration reflected this close cooperation. Customers and partners were recognised during the evening, while conversations around sustainable growth and future development looked beyond the milestone itself.

The people behind 20 years of growth

The anniversary was also an opportunity to recognise the people who have built Lindström China.

Many colleagues have worked with Lindström for more than ten years, and some have been part of the company for almost its entire 20-year history in China. Long-service recognition formed part of the Shanghai celebration, while teams across China also organised local anniversary activities during the week.

For Anupam, these careers are an important part of Lindström’s operations in China: the company has been able to provide stable employment while giving people opportunities to develop their knowledge and take on new responsibilities.

Continuing to invest in the next chapter

While the anniversary provided an opportunity to look back, the focus is firmly on the future.

Lindström continues to see significant growth potential in China. This includes developing the service network further, exploring new service opportunities and building on local innovation to make it easier to serve customers across the country.

Sustainability will also continue to be part of this development. During the anniversary discussions, Lindström’s Asia leadership highlighted circularity, renewable energy, the transition towards electric vehicles and cooperation with local partners as areas where the China organisation continues to develop.

It is a great pleasure to celebrate Lindström’s 20th anniversary in China together with our customers, partners and colleagues. What started 20 years ago has grown into our largest business outside Finland, built through hard work and a strong commitment to our customers. I am especially proud of the many people who have developed their careers with us and helped shape Lindström in China. Looking ahead, we see significant opportunities for growth and will continue building a stronger, more sustainable business across China.

Juha Laurio, President and CEO, Lindström Group

Twenty years is an important milestone, but it is also the starting point for the next stage of Lindström’s development in China. Our focus remains on staying close to our customers, developing our services and capabilities and growing together with the market in the years ahead.